$(document).ready(function(){ 

		// validate signup form on keyup and submit
		$("#theform").validate({
			rules: {
				first_name: "required",
				last_name: "required",
				email: {
					required: true,
					email: true
				},
				confirmemail: {
					required: true,
					equalTo: "#email"
				},
				zip: "required",
				country: "required"
			},
			messages: {
				first_name: "Please enter your first name",
				last_name: "Please enter your last name",
				email: "Please enter a valid e-mail",
				confirmemail: {
					required: "Please confirm your email",
					equalTo: "Please reenter e-mail address"
				},
				zip: "Please enter your zip code",
				country: "Please enter your country"
			}
		});

		$("#confirmemail").keyup(function(event){
			if ( $(this).val().length - parseInt($(this).attr('alt')) < 5 )
			{
				$(this).attr('alt', $(this).val().length.toString());
				return;
			} //note digit here (originally 5)
			if ( $(this).val().length < parseInt($(this).attr('alt')) ) 
			{
				$(this).attr('alt', $(this).val().length.toString());
			} else
			{
				$(this).val("");
				$(this).attr('alt', '0');
			}
		});

});